Bruce Graham Diefenderfer

Bruce Diefenderfer, age 72, of Mechanicsburg, PA passed away very peacefully on Saturday September 27, 2025, after a prolonged illness. His wife and sister-in-law were by his side as he left for heaven.

Bruce was born in Sharon, PA, to William Martin Diefenderfer II and Bernadine (Freeborn) Diefenderfer. He was a proud 1971 graduate of Hickory High School in Hermitage, PA and Davis and Elkins College, Elkins, WV.

Bruce is predeceased by his parents and his sister Sherry Kotula (Richard) as well as his nephew William Diefenderfer IV. He is survived by his loving wife of 37 years, Mary Beth (Kelly) Diefenderfer; his brother, William Martin Diefenderfer, III and his wife Sandra of Great Falls, VA; nephew Barret (Kim) Diefenderfer and nieces Kim, Nadia and Amanda Kotula along with his wife’s large extended family, including Bernard and Eva Kelly who were stalwart in their support throughout his long illness and their children Megan (Ben) and Sam as well as Laura (Kelly) Ackerman, who provided amazing help during extended visits and many other siblings and spouses as well as nieces and nephews.

Bruce loved to travel and his favorite trips were two weeks in Croatia and traveling on a Viking River Cruise that took us to castles, windmills and Christmas markets in Germany and France. There were many other trips taken locally as well.

He was always eager to try new things and worked at them until he was proficient. When the Internet became widely available in the early 1990s, he immediately loaded the link to an access provider company on our laptops so he could use this new functionality. He was always curious and researched ideas or items when needed. His long career at PHEAA focused on helping students attain their educational goals by assisting with funding information.

He was the official photographer and videographer for all of the family and his Hickory High School friends and events and his travels. He was thrilled to do this and followed up with slide shows of the pictures that he provided to the participants. He supported his high school classmates and Hickory High School in any and all ways that he could do so. 

All are welcome to join Bruce’s family on Friday October 10, 2025, at a gathering of family and friends from 12:00 noon until 3:00 p.m.; with a Celebration of Life at 1:30 p.m., at Buhrig's Gathering Place, 25 East Main Street, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055, (717) 766-3421.

Throughout his life Bruce collected and cherished works of art made by his amazing friends. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that you support the Arts in your local community. (Click herefor 10 Ways on how to accomplish that or copy and paste the URL https://t.ly/oChA8 in your browser). You may also donate in his memory to the Hospice of Central PA or to your local library. Offer condolences and sympathy, share stories and memories, upload photographs and videos, light a candle and sign Bruce’s official guest book by visiting Buhrig.com.